Admissions

Admission Requirements for Master's Degree Programs

(Ed.D. applicants see program info.)

Application materials are available from the Graduate School Office. To apply for initial admission to graduate study, the applicant should submit the following:

1. A completed application, either paper format with a $40 non-refundable processing fee, or apply online FREE.
2. An official transcript of all previous academic work beyond the high school to be sent directly from each institution attended. The Privacy Act requires that each student request in writing that transcripts be released to the Graduate School Office. (Feel free to use our transcript request form.)
3. Scores on either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE); Miller Analogies Test (MAT); or for appropriate programs, PRAXIS II Subject Assessment.
   For more information regarding these tests, please visit their official websites:

GRE
MAT
PRAXIS

Our main campus in Boiling Springs is a test facility for the Miller Analogies Test. For upcoming test dates and MAT registration information, please visit this website's Shedules link.

4. Three professional references on graduate reference forms.
5. For appropriate programs, evidence of A level North Carolina Teacher’s license or equivalent.
6. For the Nursing, School Counseling, and Mental Health Counseling programs, proof of criminal background record check for all states of residence for the past five (5) years.
7. For the Nursing program, immunization records.
   

*Please consult your program's information page for admissions requirements specific to that program. If a program has an early admissions deadline, that will also be indicated on the program information page.

When all documents have been received, they will be evaluated by the Dean of the Graduate School and the chair or coordinator of the program area. The applicant will be notified of the decision. Prospective counseling majors must schedule an interview with the appropriate faculty members before formal admission.

Students are notified of their admission status as soon as possible after completing the admissions process. Because of the confidential nature of some items of information required for admission, the University reserves the right to reject any applicant without stating a reason.

International Students follow the usual procedure for admission with these exceptions:

1. Transcripts must first be submitted to World Education Services for evaluation before being mailed to the Graduate School Office. Application for WES evaluations may be found in the Graduate School office or online at WES.org.
2. A satisfactory TOEFL score must be submitted unless English is the native tongue.
3. A Gardner-Webb form, Statement of Financial Responsibility, must be filled out, signed, and accompanied by a letter from student’s or sponsor’s bank showing amount to cover one year of graduate study.
4. Once the student’s file is completed and an admissions decision has been made, the Graduate School Office will send the student an I20 Form, enabling the student to apply for a visa.